Top for grand-piano cases.



I No. 896,884.

G. L. BAILHF. TOP FOR GRAND PIANO GASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1908.

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PATENTED AUG. '25, 1908.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. A

GEORGE L. BAILHE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOP FOB GRAND-PIANO CASES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. BAILHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, Manhattan, county and State of New York,.have invented new and useful Improvements in Tops for Grand-Piano Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a top for grand piano cases, which is so constructed that when the lid, which is hinged to the front of the top, is opened, it will not form an obj ectionable projection that protrudes over the curved or treble side of the case. In this way room space is economized, accidental collisionwith the lid avoided, and the appearance of the instrument enhanced.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grand piano case provided with my improved top, showing the lid closed; Fig. 2 a plan of the top with the lid open and the flap lowered; Fig. 3 a side view of part of a piano, with the lid open and the flap raised; Fig. 4 a section on line 44, Fig. 2, with the flap raised, and Fig. 5 a detail of the slidable music sheet rest.

A grand piano case 10 of the conventional I form is provided with a top 1 1, to the front of which is hinged the lid 12, as usual. The front right hand corner of this lid is cut away obliquely, and the lid thus mutilated or reduced is supplemented by a triangular flap 13 hinged to its oblique edge 14 and foldable against the lower face of the lid. When lid 12 is opened, to rest upon top 11, flap 13 is folded inward to rest upon the then exposed lower face of the lid, (Fig. 2). In this way the edge of the lid will be set back from the right or treble side of the piano and will not project beyond the same as heretofore. The result is that the lid will not form an obj ectionable projection extending into the room, (dotted lines Fig. 2), so that space is econo- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 28, 1908.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

Serial No. 435,483.

mized, while the graceful lines of the piano remain fully exposed to view.

The flap constructed as described is well adapted for use as a music sheet holder in rendering ensemble music. To this effect it may be sustained in an inclined position by means of a prop 15 hinged thereto at 16. Cooperating with this'holder is a slid able foot rest 17 for the music sheets, which is provided with a pair of pins 18 entering lid 12 at the oblique edge 14 thereof. drawn out when the music holder is to be used, and is slid back when the top is to be closed.

It will be seen that by my invention an objectionable feature, inherent in the piano tops as now in use, is removed; that the appearance of the instrument is improved, and that a new and useful function is assumed by the top.

I claim:

1. A top for grand piano cases having a hinged lid provided with a cut away right edge, and a flap hinged to said edge, sub stantially as specified.

2. A top for grand piano cases having a hinged lid provided with an oblique cut away right edge, and a triangular flap hinged to said edge, substantially as specified.

3. A top for grand piano cases having a hinged lid provided with an oblique cut away right edge, a triangular flap hinged to said edge, means for sustaining the flap in an inclined position, and a rest slidably engaging the lid, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at New York city, (Manhattan,) N. Y., this 27th day of May, 1908.

GEORGE L. BAILHE.

Witnesses:

W. R. SoHULz, FRANK v. BRIESEN. 

